Changes in follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, prolactin, oestradiol and progesterone concentrations in the sera of anovulatory androgenized female and castrated male parabiotic rats of the Fischer-344 strain.
The serum concentrations of FSH, LH and prolactin, as well as oestradiol and progesterone, were measured by immunoassays at various intervals up to 35 weeks after parabiotic union of an anovulatory androgenized female and a castrated male rat of the Fischer-344 strain. Modest increases in FSH (28%) and larger increases in LH (128%), compared to levels found in single adult animals, produced large increases in follicular growth, ovarian weight and oestrogen production in the female partners; thecal and interstitial elements of the ovaries were not heavily stimulated. Prolactin concentrations in the sera increased to exceedingly high levels and massive pituitary tumours were produced in all of the female partners. Development of cystic follicles with loss of granulosa-cell layers and the formation of early stages of granulosa-cell tumours progressed with time in union. Serum LH levels were as high in parabiotic as in single castrated male rats within 2 weeks, but concentrations of FSH remained much below those of the single animals until 27 weeks after castration. The results are consistent with the view that the ovaries of androgenized female rats of the Fischer strain produce some factor which prevents the post-castration rise in FSH of parabiotic male partners.
D000818:Animals; D002369:Castration; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006065:Gonadotropins, Pituitary / Q000097:blood*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D010053:Ovary / Q000187:drug effects; D010227:Parabiosis; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D051381:Rats; D011916:Rats, Inbred F344; D013739:Testosterone / Q000494:pharmacology
D006065:Gonadotropins, Pituitary; D013739:Testosterone; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D011388:Prolactin; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone